The situation faced by residents of Kozlov, a village in the Olomouc region, is concerning and demands immediate attention. Many residents have been shocked to receive their bills for heating and water, which are unaffordable for them. The bills are so high that some residents have been informed that they would have to pay more than CZK 100,000 for the previous year. This has left many residents in debt, struggling to pay their bills and concerned about the future.

The local authorities deny any responsibility for the high bills and argue that the residents can only blame themselves for the excessive charges. The sources claim that some residents have been underpaying for their utilities for years and now face extreme bills. However, some residents deny this and say the mayor told them they only needed to pay around CZK 1,000 per month. The discrepancy between the two accounts has yet to be resolved.

The local mayor, Roman Fojtík, explains that the high charges result from the steep rise in energy prices. The village operates on spot prices, and no one was willing to make a contract, so it was unclear how much each service would cost. For 2022, the village had to pay CZK 3.19 million for gas, compared to CZK 995,000 for the previous year. The mayor has argued that the residents can only blame themselves for their high bills, as many have set their utility payments too low, and their consumption has been excessively high. He asked them to increase their revenues and save, but they did not respond.

However, the situation is not as straightforward as it appears. The residents of Kozlov are mostly low-income individuals and families, who may not have the financial resources to pay such high bills. Many of them have already been struggling to pay their bills for several years, and this has resulted in significant debts. The local authorities need to understand the challenges faced by the residents and provide solutions that are both practical and reasonable.

The authorities need to conduct an investigation into the billing system and identify the root cause of the high bills. They need to work with the residents to establish a fair billing system that takes into account the income levels of the residents. They can consider offering subsidies or payment plans that are affordable for the residents. The authorities also need to ensure that the residents have access to information about the billing system and can understand the charges.

In conclusion, the situation faced by the residents of Kozlov is dire, and the authorities need to act quickly to address the problem. The residents need support and assistance in paying their bills, and the authorities need to establish a fair billing system that takes into account the income levels of the residents. This will not only ensure that the residents can pay their bills, but it will also help to prevent similar situations in the future.

Article by Prague Forum